Following discussions, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu signed 20 crucial agreements, marking the elevation of their bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
The two heads of state announced the elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. "20 key agreements were signed today between the Government of the and the Government of China this afternoon and both the Presidents witnessed the signing ceremony," Maldivian President's office said in a post on X.
President Muizzu and his wife Sajida Mohammad received a ceremonial welcome at the Great Hall of the People from President Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan. The welcoming ceremony included a red carpet reception and a 21-gun salute. Subsequently, President Xi and Peng Liyuan hosted a state banquet in their honour.
Muizzu's state visit to China occurs amidst a diplomatic dispute with India, involving derogatory comments by his ministers about Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Additionally, tensions arise from a report by the EU Election Observation Mission of Maldives, alleging that the ruling coalition of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and the People's National Congress (PNC) propagated anti-India sentiments and disseminated disinformation during the 2023 presidential elections, in which Muizzu emerged victorious.
Muizzu, who is regarded as a pro-China leader, is visiting China amid the row with India after some Maldivian ministers posted derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Modi leading to a spate of cancellations of reservations by Indian tourists, who constitute the largest number of visitors to the tourism-dependent island nation.
Muizzu asks India to withdraw troops by March 15
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has set a deadline for the withdrawal of Indian troops from the island nation, stating that the Indian military personnel should leave by March 15.
This announcement follows Muizzu's meeting with Xi Jinping during his inaugural state visit to China after assuming office. The move comes amid a recent strengthening of ties between Maldives and China, triggered by a diplomatic dispute between India and Maldives. The discord emerged when Maldivian ministers made derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi following his visit to the Lakshadweep islands. The three ministers were sacked and the Maldivian Opposition criticised the comments, but the President said "We may be small but no one has the license to bully us".
Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, the public policy secretary at the President's Office, said, "Indian military personnel cannot stay in the Maldives. This is the policy of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and that of this administration." According to reports, around 88 Indian troops are present in Maldives.
Nearly two months after urging the withdrawal of Indian troops, the Maldives President has reiterated his call, emphasising the need to ensure the absence of foreign military presence on Maldivian soil. The current President, who championed the "India Out" campaign during his election, had made the withdrawal of Indian troops a significant promise in his electoral campaign.